Apparatus for generating gas



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

G. BEDFORD. APP TUS FOR GENERATING GAS.

Patented June 11, 1889. 9.4.

ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES:

' v 2 SheetsSheet 2.

W. EDFORD.

APPARATU GENERATING GAS.

No. 404,886.. Patented June 11, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM G. BEDFORD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR GENERATING GAS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 404,886, dated June 11,1889. Application filed April 17, 1888. I Serial No. 270,992. (Nomodel.)

T0 (0% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM G. BEDFORD, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for GeneratingGas, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specificationand accompanying drawings.

My invention consists of an apparatus for generating gas forilluminating and heating purposes, the same embodying a novel retort, anovel feeding device for the material from which the gas is produced,and other features, as will be hereinafter set forth.

Figure 1 represents a vertical sect-ion of a gas-generator embodying myinvention. Figs. 2 and 3 represent horizontal sections, respectively, onlines as x and y y, Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 represents ahorizontal section on line 2 .2, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents a horizontalsection of a portion of the grate of the apparatus on an enlarged scale.Fig. 6 represents a transverse vertical section of one of the barsthereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the furnace, within which issupported a retort B, consisting of a series of vertical parallel tubes,which communicate alternately at opposite ends, one of the tubes toconstituting the inlet of the retort and the other tube b constitutingthe discharge thereof, said tube Z) being connected with theeduction-pipe 0. Above the furnace is mounted a horizontallyarrangedfeeding-wheel O, the same having near its periphery a number of openingsd, which by the rotation of the wheel may be placed in communicationwith the tube a of the retort; Located above the wheel 0 is a chute orhopper D anda steam-pipe E, which, as will be seen, are so disposed thatsaid hopper and pipe each communicates with one of the openings d of thewheel. Projecting into the pipe E is a pipe F, for directing hydrocarbonvapor into said pipe.

The wheel 0 is secured to a vertical shaft G, which has suitablebearings on the furnace A and carries a pulley H, whereby power may becommunicated to said wheel, thus bringing the openings cl successivelyunder the hopper D and steam-pipe E.

The operation is as follows: The retort B is highly heated by the firein the furnace A, the products of combustion escaping from the latterthrough the exit-pipe J. Pulverized coal, sawdust, or other comminutedcarbonaceous material is supplied to the hopper D, and steam andhydrocarbon vapor are directed into the pipe E. The wheel rotates, andas an opening d comes under the hopper D it is charged with materialfrom the hopper, it being noticed that the wheel rotates within ahousing or casing K, the bottom or bed whereof closes the lower end ofthe opening cl, said bottom, however, being cut away above the tube a.The charge of carbonaceous material is carried around by the wheel untilit reaches the tube a, when the opening which contains the charge isalso in communication with the pipe E. The steam, hydrocarbon vapor, andcarbonaceous materials are now injected into the tube a, and such actionis repeated at intervals, due to the rotation of the wheel C. Theinjected materials now traverse the retort, passing alternately throughthe tubes thereof, and are subjected to the greatest heat thereof,especially around the grate of the furnace, the result being the rapidand effective conversion of the materials into a gas of superior powersuitable for illumination or heat. Th

gas as produced is directed from the retort through the pipe 0.

I may admit either live, superheated, or exhaust steam or hydrogen intothe retort through the wheel 0, and may admit an additional supply ofthe same into the retort below the Wheel by means of a suitable pipe.(Shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1,)

Within the pipe E is a vertically-movable sleeve L, which is flanged attop and bottom and forced by the steam against the wheel 0, so as toproduce a tight joint thereat, without, however, preventing the rotationof said wheel. The sleeve yields due to any inequalities 011 the surfaceof the wheel.

In order to utilize the generated gas for the furnace which contributesto generate said gas or other gas, the grate M is for-med of 1101- lowvertical bars N, which are placed side by side, and communicate by meansof openings in the walls of the bars alternately at the inner and outerends of the bars, forming a zigzag passage throughout the grate. (SeeFig. 5.)

A pipe P for the admission of gas with or without steam and hydrocarbonvapor into the grate is connected with one of the bars, and openings orjets c are formed in the sides of the bars to permit the escape of gasfrom the grate, the same forming a gaseous fuel for the furnace, to beused with or without solid fuel.

The furnace is provided with a proper door, ash-pit, &c. The base of theretort is accessible through suitable man-holes for cleansing and otherpurposes.

Should hydrocarbon fluid be directed into i the pipe F, it will bevaporized by the steam in pipe E but it is preferable to admit hy- 1drocarbon vapor directly into said pipe I", 1 avoiding carbonization inthe pipe E and wheel (1.

It will be observed that by the peculiar arrangement of the openings ofthe feedingwheel and the hopper and vapor-pipe with j relation to saidopenings the charge is de livered into an opening of the wheel, by whichit is carried around under the vaporpipe and drops into the retort, thecharge and vapor being thoroughly commingled and the operation of thegenerator rendered more effective.

IIavin g thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a gas-generator, a retort, a horizontal rotary feeding-wheelprovided with openings, a hopper or chute communicating with theopenings, and avapor-pipe also eommunicating with the openings of thefeeding-wheel at a different place from the hopper, whereby the hoppersupplies the charge to an opening of the feeding-wheel, which carriesthe same around under the vapor-pipe and deposits it into the retort,thereby thoroughly commingling the charge with the vapor, substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose described.

2. In a gas-generator, a retort, in combination with a steam-pipe, anintermediate rotary supply-wheel with opening communicatin g betweensaid pipe and retort, and a vertically-removablc flanged sleeve in saidpipe, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a gas-generator, a furnace having a retort with tube locatedtherein, a horizontal rotary feeding-wheel with openings mounted on avertical shaft above said furnace, a 110pper with an opening adapted tocommunicate with the openings of the feeding-wheel, a eastin g havingits bottom adapted to close the lower end of said openings and cut awayabove the tube of the retort, a steam-pipe communicating with the tubeof the retort by means of the openings in the feeding-wheel, and ahydrocarbon-vapor pipe leading into the stea1n-pipe, said parts beingcombined substantially as described.

4. In a gas-generator, a furnace with the retort having a tube, ahorizontal feedingwheel mounted above the furnace and hav ing openingsnear its periphery adapted to communicate with thetnbe of the retort,the casting having its bottom adapted to close the lower end of theopenings in the fOOtIlTlgwheel, a steam-pipe communicating with the tubein the retort by meansof the openings of the feeding-wheel, and ahydrocarbon-vapor pipe leading into the steam-pipe, said parts beingcombined substantially as described.

5. In a gas-generator, a furnace with a retort consisting of a series ofvertical. parallel tubes "communicating alternately at opposite ends andhaving an inlet and outlet with an eduction-pipe, a housing or casingsecured to the top of said furnace, a horizontal rotary wheel havingopenings within said casin g, the said openings adapted to coincide withan opening leading to the retort, a steam-pipe leading into the retortthrough one of said openings, and a hydrocarbon-vapor pipe leading intothe said steam-pipe above said wheel, said parts being combinedsubstantially as described.

6. In a gas-generator,.a furnace with a re tort thereto, a casing abovesaid furnace having the bottom cut away at an upper opening of theretort, a rotary wheel. within said casing having openings eoirmidingwith the upper opening of the retort, a steam-pipe leading into theretort through one of said. openings in the rotary wheel, ahydrocarlmn-pipc leading into the steam-pipe, and an expansible collarin said steam-pipe above the rotary wheel, said parts being combinedsubstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

\VILLIAM G. BE'DFOR'I).

\Vitnesses:

JoI-IN A. WIEDERsI-IEIM, A. ,P. JENNINGS.

